Perimenopause moans #2

[GeminiMoon]

Thanks everyone. I’m wary of putting any random symptom I might be experiencing down to potential peri so wanted to see how common nausea and dizziness is.

For me, it started with nausea in the morning. I thought I was pregnant! It went away.

Then the other day I shared a bottle of wine with my partner. Normally I might feel slightly off the next day but not hungover and definitely not nauseous or dizzy. I had to spend the morning lying on the sofa! I had to move slowly and steadily. Since then, if I drink even one glass of wine, I can feel a slight dizziness and nausea the next day.

Looks like I’m off the drink..

 

[petitspois]

My aching legs have really improved and I can't think of anything I've done differently I've which is frustrating. Maybe it's just the multitude of supplements I'm taking have kicked in.

 

[Marmitelover]

Hi ladies.

I have just started the patch this week. I am 41 and pretty sure I've been Perimenopausal for 3 years. Although the symptoms ramped up this past year. I was lucky enough to get a good dr who prescribed me the patch (estrogen and progesterone) on symptoms, as my bloods didn't show any signs of peri.

I'd be interested to know what changes you noticed when starting your hrt patches, so I know what to look out for.

Also, I have 2 weeks of estrogen and 2 combi. Does that mean that I'll always be on a 28 day cycle now, or do I switch back to the estrogen only patch when my period starts? It's a little confusing at the moment.

Thanks

 

[YoungHollywood]

Sorry I’m late to the Louise Newsom panorama chat, but I have really gone off her. She did an interview after with the Mail and it was such a manipulative PR piece. A huge sob story talking about things like how her dad died when she was 9 - what has that got to do with anything?! Then saying things like asking if people want her dead or in an asylum, and “My husband worries a lot about me,' she says. 'He feels very helpless. He'll text the girls to say, 'Check on your mum'.”
All implying she is going to hurt herself because she is being questioned rather than arguing back logically or with facts.
Major ‘off’ vibes from it all.

 

[petitspois]

Sorry I’m late to the Louise Newsom panorama chat, but I have really gone off her. She did an interview after with the Mail and it was such a manipulative PR piece. A huge sob story talking about things like how her dad died when she was 9 - what has that got to do with anything?! Then saying things like asking if people want her dead or in an asylum, and “My husband worries a lot about me,' she says. 'He feels very helpless. He'll text the girls to say, 'Check on your mum'.”
All implying she is going to hurt herself because she is being questioned rather than arguing back logically or with facts.
Major ‘off’ vibes from it all.

I agree to an extent but the program should really have focused on why so many women are going private and why the NHS is failing us. It could have touched on women’s healthcare in general being a tit show compared to men but don’t get me started on that!

 

[YoungHollywood]

I agree to an extent but the program should really have focused on why so many women are going private and why the NHS is failing us. It could have touched on women’s healthcare in general being a tit show compared to men but don’t get me started on that!

Oh absolutely, totally agree! It is obviously important to look at people that are being seen as advocates for women and making huge sums of money from it to make sure they are doing the right thing. There are way too many social media stars, influencers, famous personal trainers, pelvic floor specialists etc etc that all appear to be really great and sticking up for women but are actually just wanting to make money from us. I guess that’s where the real question is around Louise.
but yeah, women’s health is loooooow priority for the NHS.

 

[AlwaysSummer]

I watched the Panorama documentary and LN’s practice doesn’t come off well. However the bigger issue not touched on is why HRT is so bleeping expensive when half of the population goes through a natural ageing process and may need this treatment at some point. It’s all well and good that peri/menopause is being discussed but this area of women’s health is still so woefully under researched and women are often left to figure out how to navigate it themselves with next to no science-based support. All celebs jumping on the bandwagon of selling tit under a pre-text of supporting women is sickening.

 

[really_whythough]

I watched the Panorama documentary and LN’s practice doesn’t come off well. However the bigger issue not touched on is why HRT is so bleeping expensive when half of the population goes through a natural ageing process and may need this treatment at some point. It’s all well and good that peri/menopause is being discussed but this area of women’s health is still so woefully under researched and women are often left to figure out how to navigate it themselves with next to no science-based support. All celebs jumping on the bandwagon of selling tit under a pre-text of supporting women is sickening.

It’s really not expensive on the NHS. Agreed that seems to be a difficult route for some but hopefully more people are able to access as awareness spreads.

 

[Blonde_moment]

Hi ladies.

I have just started the patch this week. I am 41 and pretty sure I've been Perimenopausal for 3 years. Although the symptoms ramped up this past year. I was lucky enough to get a good dr who prescribed me the patch (estrogen and progesterone) on symptoms, as my bloods didn't show any signs of peri.

I'd be interested to know what changes you noticed when starting your hrt patches, so I know what to look out for.

Also, I have 2 weeks of estrogen and 2 combi. Does that mean that I'll always be on a 28 day cycle now, or do I switch back to the estrogen only patch when my period starts? It's a little confusing at the moment.

Thanks

I’m similar - 41 and started Everol Sequi patches recently too, although my bloods did show high FSH levels.

It’s only been a few months, but the first thing I noticed was the hot flashes went completely within days. My sleep improved a bit - still not perfect, but definitely improved. Mood has picked up. An unexpected improvement is that I no longer wake up with a really tight, sore upper back, neck & shoulders. This had been happening for about 18 months and I had no idea it could be linked to hormones; I assumed it was my pillow or sleeping position or something!

The period thing is a weird one. I still have my own (slightly erratic cycle), so my own hormones override the HRT. I’ve always had a shorter than average cycle and I’ve started bleeding on day 19 and then day 24 the past two months. I’ve just carried on with the combined patches and then switched to the estrogen only patch after 28 days, as it's designed to be used. Touch wood I haven’t had a second bleed so far doing that, as I really don’t fancy 2 bleeds each month! I think randomly changing patches to suit your own cycle could get a bit messy and you might end up taking too much estrogen and not enough progestogen to keep the womb lining thin and protect against cancer.

No side effects for me so far, other than slightly sore breasts before my periods, but that’s something I’ve had on and off for years anyway.

Dr also prescribed Vagifem pessaries, which I started about 2.5 weeks ago. This was because I had a UTI and a bit of dryness during sex and she said it might help. Too early to know if it’s helping yet, but fingers crossed.

I hope you get on with the patches and see some improvements

 

[ChineseAlan]

I’ve an appointment today with the nurse to discuss peri and hurt. I’m so nervous.i recently,y turned 45. My hormones are all over the place, I’m a wreck mentally. Hope I’m not go bed off with antidepressantsl

I have bad anxiety, onset of ocd, depression, mood swings, crying fits, itchy ears, dry hair, dry skin, pain in body, tendinitis, fatigue, .. I could go on. My cycles started being shorter then regular 2 years ago. Then this year I had 2 very long cycles, days 44 and 55, then day 18, but now 5 regular ones. So I’m a bit all over then it settles for a while. Worried she will dismiss me because they go regular again for a while.

 

[Tank Girl]

48, two periods mosts months and marijuana is saving my life x

 

[neverbeeninfluenced]

I’ve an appointment today with the nurse to discuss peri and hurt. I’m so nervous.i recently,y turned 45. My hormones are all over the place, I’m a wreck mentally. Hope I’m not go bed off with antidepressantsl

I have bad anxiety, onset of ocd, depression, mood swings, crying fits, itchy ears, dry hair, dry skin, pain in body, tendinitis, fatigue, .. I could go on. My cycles started being shorter then regular 2 years ago. Then this year I had 2 very long cycles, days 44 and 55, then day 18, but now 5 regular ones. So I’m a bit all over then it settles for a while. Worried she will dismiss me because they go regular again for a while.

Started HRT at 45 even though my periods were in the GP’s word regular but what she didn’t listen to was that it was unusual for me. Pre peri I would get my period every 28 days on the dot and it would last for 5 days and had been like for that 30 years. Now they come between days 24 and 30 and last 2/3 days so I’m not having long cycles nor am I having heavy periods but they are different.
If you genuinely believe your symptoms are peri related stick to your guns and ask for a trial of HRT.
Previously I’d been to see the practice hormone specialist who put my symptoms down to mental health and recommended antidepressants which I refused as previously they had made me worse. She dismissed me because of my regular periods and lack of hot flushes like these were the only 2 symptoms she cared about. When I went back I requested a GP and refused to back down

 

[Louby@21]

Bit rubbish to have a hormone specialist that doesn’t recognise the multiple symptoms and doesn’t seem to want to put you on a proven treatment!

 

[neverbeeninfluenced]

Bit rubbish to have a hormone specialist that doesn’t recognise the multiple symptoms and doesn’t seem to want to put you on a proven treatment!

I know! The joy at getting an appointment with the practice hormone specialist to the actual despair at her dismissing me was quite a journey.

 

[Lazarus]

i'm 44; been taking Evorl for a few months now; my mood is lighter, i'm more focused and don't seem to have brain fog any longer which is a god send. my period is regular but almost unremarkable which for me is massive. i've had terrible periods since they started in my teens.
on top of that, my sex drive is back and with that comes some of my body confidence which i feel i'd lost a bit. i'd also say that i'm feeling less dull or miserable.

other side of the coin: i seem to always have mouth ulcers or blisters - particularly on the inside of my bottom lip.

i'm glad to be on them tbh.

 

[ScotLass81]

I had an appointment with gynaecology today to follow up after the scan I was sent for when I went to the GP to discuss HRT showed a 4cm cyst on my right ovary.

She done an ultrasound today which looked OK and attempted a womb biopsy which she couldn't complete due to scar tissue in my womb. I'm having really bad cramps and bleeding since so I'm hoping that will settle soon. If men had to have this done I bet they'd be medicated up to the eyeballs I can't believe they do that with no numbing or pain relief! She said if they need to next time I'll have a slightly different procedure done under general anaesthetic.

She was happy to prescribe evorel sequi patches for me and will follow up in 3 months.

 

[Marmitelover]

I’m similar - 41 and started Everol Sequi patches recently too, although my bloods did show high FSH levels.

It’s only been a few months, but the first thing I noticed was the hot flashes went completely within days. My sleep improved a bit - still not perfect, but definitely improved. Mood has picked up. An unexpected improvement is that I no longer wake up with a really tight, sore upper back, neck & shoulders. This had been happening for about 18 months and I had no idea it could be linked to hormones; I assumed it was my pillow or sleeping position or something!

The period thing is a weird one. I still have my own (slightly erratic cycle), so my own hormones override the HRT. I’ve always had a shorter than average cycle and I’ve started bleeding on day 19 and then day 24 the past two months. I’ve just carried on with the combined patches and then switched to the estrogen only patch after 28 days, as it's designed to be used. Touch wood I haven’t had a second bleed so far doing that, as I really don’t fancy 2 bleeds each month! I think randomly changing patches to suit your own cycle could get a bit messy and you might end up taking too much estrogen and not enough progestogen to keep the womb lining thin and protect against cancer.

No side effects for me so far, other than slightly sore breasts before my periods, but that’s something I’ve had on and off for years anyway.

Dr also prescribed Vagifem pessaries, which I started about 2.5 weeks ago. This was because I had a UTI and a bit of dryness during sex and she said it might help. Too early to know if it’s helping yet, but fingers crossed.

I hope you get on with the patches and see some improvements

Thank you

It certainly sounds like things are heading in a positive direction for you. That's great, I hope it continues to do so.

I shall stick with the 2 week rotation with the patches. I wasn't sure if I had to switch back to estrogen only once I got a period (my periods are anything between 24 - 30 days apart).

So far I hace felt calmer. But I did have a couple of days of over emotional crying on Sunday and yesterday. I'm not really a crier either, so that has become a little bit of a struggle. I'm hoping the patches will fix that soon though!

 

[ChineseAlan]

Started HRT at 45 even though my periods were in the GP’s word regular but what she didn’t listen to was that it was unusual for me. Pre peri I would get my period every 28 days on the dot and it would last for 5 days and had been like for that 30 years. Now they come between days 24 and 30 and last 2/3 days so I’m not having long cycles nor am I having heavy periods but they are different.
If you genuinely believe your symptoms are peri related stick to your guns and ask for a trial of HRT.
Previously I’d been to see the practice hormone specialist who put my symptoms down to mental health and recommended antidepressants which I refused as previously they had made me worse. She dismissed me because of my regular periods and lack of hot flushes like these were the only 2 symptoms she cared about. When I went back I requested a GP and refused to back down

It was a nurse I spoke to. She was awful with me. She listened about the physical symptoms, cycle irregularities, my mood swings, rage, anger, anxiety, ocd and depression. She was dismissive right away and said oh I see on the system you’ve not had a full blood count in 5 years
I explained I struggle with blood tests due to medical trauma and unless absolutely necessary my gp never forces them on me. She asked what happened and why, digging up past trauma. She was so cold and rude.

She also said ‘ well although you’ve had short then long cycles your last 4 have been back to regular so it may not be peri’ I told her I’d had regular 28-30 all my life, day 18-21 isn’t me, nor is 44/55 so yes I get some regular ones thrown in for a while. Ht the crazy ones are thr months I don’t ovulate. I’m very in tune with my body and know what’s happening.

She said ‘well unless you’re willing to do a face we won’t prescribe hrt.’ I said ‘but what has a general blood test got to do with hrt?‘ And she said ‘ it could be something far more sisnister going on causing your symptoms’. I said ‘what, mood swings that are hormonal? Hormonal anxiety? Itchy ears? Forgetfulness?… like what exactly?’ She said ‘I don’t know I’m not a doctor.‘, I gave up at that point and said ok that’s fine. She then said ‘hrt wouldn’t help you anyway, it’s for physical symptoms, it won’t help the emotional mental health side of things. You’re not having hot flushes so it’s pointless to start hrt‘. just waved the white flag and said goodbye.

 

[louderforthecheapseats]

She sounds awful but what she was offering you was actually the best thing, your symptoms could be related to something other than perimenopause (thyroid, vit deficiencies etc) but she needs to work on her bedside manner. It’s usually more of a struggle to get all the blood tests as they cost more, I had the opposite and asked for blood tests and was refused and offered HRT for a trial period. Can you see if there is a menopause specialist in your practice and ask to see them? You’re entitled to ask to see someone specific and they can’t refuse the request. Don’t give up.

 

[ChineseAlan]

She sounds awful but what she was offering you was actually the best thing, your symptoms could be related to something other than perimenopause (thyroid, vit deficiencies etc) but she needs to work on her bedside manner. It’s usually more of a struggle to get all the blood tests as they cost more, I had the opposite and asked for blood tests and was refused and offered HRT for a trial period. Can you see if there is a menopause specialist in your practice and ask to see them? You’re entitled to ask to see someone specific and they can’t refuse the request. Don’t give up.

Yes I agree, and I understand it, it was just how rude she was that upset me.

Also, no woman I know that’s on hrt was forced to do regular bloods first so I felt she was also giving excuses and dismissing me. My friend said it was an excuse as having regular bloods was never mentioned to her as her symptoms were clearly peri related. I’ve had bloods for my thyroid recently as I’m on thyroxine and they were perfectly normal. I told her I know my thyroids fine and I feel fine in that regard as I know the symptoms. This is all very hormonal and clearly peri at my age.

Ssdly there isn’t a specialist there, we have to do econsults online then the GP replies and she just booked me in with a nurse who didn’t have a clue. Saying hrt won’t help the emotional side of peri. I felt so deflated.

My husband has suggested going private with Dr Newsons clinic but I’m not sure about that.

Thank you for replying to me I appreciate it